THE history of a town will be brought to a life through a series of plays.

People in Dalton will be able to lift the lid on the town’s past when the Daltonia project is performed on Friday.

Residents in the town have been involved in the project from the ground up, with the performances scripted by keen writers who entered a competition to be selected.

The plays, which are each around 10 minutes in length, focus on key aspects of Dalton’s heritage.

The three pieces, Kirstie Pelling’s “Indelibly Inked”, Dennis Toye’s “The Return” and “Evacuee” by Eve Whalley have been developed with Furness writers Kate Davis and Caroline Gilfillan along with director Emma Bonney and Daltonia project manager John Hall.

Mr Hall said: “We are really excited to be able to finally show these plays to people.

“They are creative and funny and people who come to watch will really enjoy them.

“It has been a great process to be involved in. We have three very good scripts, each with its own distinctive voice, full of humour and with traces of sadness too.

“Emma and our actors are enjoying exploring them and doing fantastic work.

“The evening will appeal to anyone with an interest in their area, and in writing and performing.”

The plays will be staged on Friday at Dalton’s community centre in Nelson Street and the night will also feature performances from poets Kate Davis and Kim Moore.

They will focus on the life of painter George Romney, William Close and tell the story of the evacuees sent to the town in the Second World War.

Portraying these characters will be local actors and students from Barrow Sixth Form College.

Sue Benson, from Barrow Library, will also shed light on the town’s history with a display of archives.

The event was due to be held as part of Dalton Litfest, but the festival was cancelled after organisers failed to secure funding from Arts Council England earlier this year.

Organiser Ron Creer said he was “devastated” it was not going ahead but hoped the arts festival would return bigger and better next year.

The event will also encompass a wider area, a move reflected by its new name, Furness Litfest.

More details about next year’s literature festival are due to be announced at performance on Friday.

Doors open for event at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £2 and seats can be reserved by calling 07928747205.

The project has been financed through a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund.